Motor driven rotatable drum chance device

ABSTRACT

A toy amusement device has a drive motor which is started by the insertion of a disc in the device whereupon a handle can be operated to cause the motor to rotate a plurality of display drums all at the same time and then pushbuttons can be depressed successively to discontinue rotation of the drums at different times and if the display drums show winning symbols means are automatically activated to discharge a given number of discs as evidence thereof.

United. States Patent Ohki [451 Apr. 25,

154] MOTOR DRIVEN ROTATABLE DRUM CHANCE DEVICE [72] inventor: Haruo Ohki, 2-10, 2-ch0me, Shiratori,

Katsushika-ku, Tokyo, Japan [22] Filed: July 8,1970

[2]] Appl, No; 53,243

l 30] Foreign Application Priority Data Oct. 6, 1969 Japan ..44/79224 [52] U.S. Cl. ..273/l43 R [51] Int. Cl. ..A63f 5/04 [58] Field of Search ..273/138 A, 143 R, 143 A, 143 B, 273/143 C, 143 D, 143 E, l E; 46/2, 3, 4,5

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,093,813 9/1937 Macourek ..273/143 R 2,932,976 4/1960 Mihalek et a1 ..273/l43 R X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 223,027 7/1959 Australia ..273/l43 R Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Assistant Examiner-Harold W. Kramer Attorney-Linton & Linton ABSTRACT A toy amusement device has a drive motor which is started by the insertion of a disc in the device whereupon a handle can be operated to cause the motor to rotate a plurality of display drums all at the same time and then pushbuttons can be depressed successively to discontinue rotation of the drums at different times and if the display drums show winning symbols means are automatically activated to discharge a given number of discs as evidence thereof.

19 Claims, 24 Drawing Figures PATEMT EH APR 2 5 1972 sum '1 BF 7 INVENTOR HHRUO OH K I BY &4: WM

ATTORNEYS mgmmm 25 1972 3, 658 340 SHEET 2 0F 7 FIG.2

INVENTOR 116 113 122 HARlm OHKl ATTORNEY :MEP-ETEQAPR 25 m2 3, 658,340

sum 3 BF 7 FIG.4

INVENTOR HRRUO OHKI ATTORNEY WEHTWPR 2 5 m2 3, 658 340 SHEET 4 BF 7 INVENTOR 5x? "WM ATTORNEYS PA'l'ENTEi] APR 2 5 m2 SHEET 5 UF 7 INVENTOR HRRUO OHK/ Y fi l/4T *4/ ATTORNEYJ PATENTED m 2 5 m2 .3, 658 340 SHEET 6 [IF 7 INVENTOR HARUO OHKI ATTORNEY MOTOR DRIVEN ROTATABLE DRUM CHANCE DEVICE The present invention is concerned with an amusement device which operates in response to the deposition therein of a suitable disc-like object.

The invention has for an object to provide a disc operated toy machine which is easy to operate and is particularly free of function failures.

The objects and features of the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a machine embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation of the machine;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the machine with part of the housing removed to expose various interior components thereof;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a display drum and a drive motor therefore;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of a brake mechanism for each drum;

FIGS. 6a and 6b are side views of a drum releasing mechanism;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a releasing plate;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a lifting plate;

FIGS. 9a, 9b and 9c, inclusive, are side views of the display drums;

' FIG. 10a is a perspective view of a mechanism for opening and closing a main switch;

FIG. 10b is a side view of the top portion of FIG. 10a;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a drive shaft and a transmission shaft;

FIG. 12 is a side elevation of a pushbutton operated mechanism for discharging the discs;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of part of the mechanism of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a plan view ofan auxiliary switch;

FIG. 15 is a side view of the connection between the releasing plate and the auxiliary switch of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a switching mechanism for controlling the rotation ofthe motor;

FIG. 17 is a plan view of the actuating mechanism associated with a disc transfer and discharge mechanism;

FIGS. 18a and 18b are cross-sectional views taken on lines A-A of FIG. 17 and illustrating the manner of transferring and discharging the discs from a disc collecting compartment; and

FIG. 19 is an electrical circuit including the various operative parts of the machine. I

Referring to the drawings and FIGS. 1 and 2 in particular, there is shown a game machine 200 which embodies the present invention. This machine includes a housing 201 formed by a front box 1, a rear box 2 and a bottom plate or base 3 with these elements being separately joined. The front box 1 is provided at the upper portion thereof with a circular disc receptacle 4 through which a disc can be inserted into the machine. The front box 1 is also provided with a plurality of display windows 5 to expose to view the various combinations of symbols, hereinafter described, with the number of said windows corresponding to the number of display drums hereinafter described. Designated at 6 is a disc discharge chute formed between the front box 1 and the base 3, and at 7 is a disc pick-up plate formed on the base 3 and extending into the chute 6. A plurality of openings 8 are formed in the front box I for pushbuttons, hereinafter described, projecting therethrough. The rear box 2 is provided at the back of box 1, with a battery compartment cover 9 which is hinged at its upper edge as at 9' to the rear box 2 and securely connected centrally to the same by means ofa clamping knob 10.

Referring to the remaining figures of the drawings, there is a machine frame 11 housed in the front box 1. A plurality of display drums 12, 13 and 14 are rotatably mounted on a common shaft 15 connected to the sides of the frame 11. These drums are provided on their respective surfaces at circumferentially spaced positions with various combinations of symbols l6 such as for example pictures, letters, numerals and the like, certain of which symbols are preselected as winning symbols. The symbols 16 are arranged to be viewed through the display windows 5.

There are provided as many brake cams 17, 18 and 19 as there are drums and each of said cams is secured to one side of a drum and adapted to stop the rotation of the drum when its cam engages with a braking element hereinafter described.

Designated at 20, FIG. 5, are frame members each rotatably mounted on a common shaft 21 and extending subjacent a display drum. Each frame member 20 is provided with an arm 22 extending upwards from behind the member 20 and having a braking element 23 rotatably mounted on its tip end. The member 20 is also provided centrally thereof with a transmission roller 24 of a material such as of rubber which is normally disengaged from the drum thereabove. With the rotation of the frame members 20, the rollers 24 peripherally engage with the display drums 12, 13 and 14, respectively, and impart to the same the driving force from a motor M mounted on one side of the machine frame 11. The drive shaft 25 of the motor M has secured thereon a pinion 26 for engagement with a crown gear 27 connected to a shaft 28. Each roller 24 is positioned. for abutting and rotating with the shaft 28. Each frame member 20 is provided with a flanged portion 29 at an end opposite to shaft 21. Located above the flanged portions 29 are connecting bars 34 carrying pushbuttons 31, 32 and 33. To these bars are attached stop members 35 each with a bottom part 35a disposed for abutting relation with the flanged portion 29 of a frame member 20. Designated at 36 is a bracket member integral with the bar 34.

Designated at 37, 38 and 39, are pressors pivotally mounted on a common shaft 40 supported by frame 11 and each pressor abuts against the part 3511 of a stop member 35 when the pushbutton for the stop member is depressed as shown in FIG. 5. In this position, each frame member 20 is caused to rotate counterclockwise to a position where the braking element 23 engages with the cam 19 and the roller 24 disengages from the drive shaft 28 and from its drum.

The frame members 20, connecting bars 34 and pressors 37, 38 and 39 are spring loaded for their respective movements by means of springs 41, 42 and 43, respectively connected thereto and which springs are also connected to frame 11.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 7, there is shown a drum releasing plate member 44 provided at one end with a substantially V-shaped arm 45 and at the other end with a substantially triangular end 46. The releasing plate member 44 is pivoted on' shaft 47, FIG. 3. The member 44 is also provided with laterally spaced apart projections 48 and is situated such that these projections lie behind and correspond with the pressor strips 37, 38 and 39. Responsive to the operation of a lever hereinafter described, the releasing plate member 44 tilts forward, viz rotates counterclockwise against the tension of the spring 43 to a position where the various elements already referred to in connection with FIG. 5 are brought into their respective positions causing the driving of drums l2 14.

FIGS. 6a and 6b show a drum actuating lever or handle 49 connected to shaft 50 pivotally mounted on the machine frame 11. An actuating cam 51 is connected to the lever 49 by means of shaft 50 and to the triangular end 46 by means of a coil spring 52 so that the rotation of the handle 49 is transmitted to the releasing plate 44. Designated at 53 is a return spring connected to cam 51, and frame 11.

FIG. 8 shows a lifting plate member 54 pivoted as at 55 to the machine frame 11 and provided at one end with a guide projection 56 extending beyond the machine frame 11 for insertion in a vertically elongated aperture 57 formed in the triangular end 46 and at its other end with a rise portion 58 for stopping an auxiliary switch hereafter described. There is also provided a reduced part 57a of the aperture 57 for receiving the tip end of the guide projection 56 in locked relation to prohibit adverse movement of the releasing member 44. As the liftingplate 54 rotates in the upward direction to a position where the projection 56 enters into the reduced aperture 57a in which position the third display drum 14 is held in rotation, the aforementioned auxiliary switch is restrained from being placed in its on position. Designated at 59 is a return spring connected to plate 54 and frame 11 for lifting plate 54.

The display drums 12, 13 and 14 are each of electric insulating material and are provided at one side thereof with electrically conductive contact strips 60, 61 and 62, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 9a, 9b and 9c. The number of these contact strips corresponds to the number of symbols 16 the winners on each drum. Designated at 63, 64 and 65 are pairs of fixed contact strips supported by insulating members (not shown) on frame 11 and arranged to be brought into and out of contact with the respective contact strips on the drums, whereby there is formed an automatic multi-step switch.

These contact switch elements are provided, as shown n FIG. 19, in an energization circuit for motor M and are connected in parallel with main switch S located adjacent the disc receptacle 4. One of the first pair of fixed contact strips 63 is connected to the motor M and the other strip 63 is connected to one of the second pair of fixed contact strips 64. The other strip of the second pair of strips 64 is connected to one strip of the third pair of fixed contact strips 65 as well as to a drive control switch element hereafter described. The other strip of the third pair of strip 65 is connected to another drive control switch element also hereafter described. The main switch S consists ofa pair of conductive strips 66, FIG. b, which normally extend into a disc inlet portion 69, FIG. 3, of a cylindrical disc collecting compartment 68, FIGS. 18a and 18b. For this purpose, the strips 66 are secured to an insulating support 70 pivotally connected as at 72 to the compartment 68 as shown. A return spring 71 is also connected to support 70 and compartment 68. Designated at 73 is a ledge projecting from the lower part of the support 70 and disposed normally in a position to close the inlet portion of the compartment 68, thus serving as a temporary receptacle for a disc. Designated at 74 in FIG. 10a is a connecting rod having a leg portion 75 at one end for abutment against the support 70 and the other end is connected to the third connecting bar 34. As the pushbutton 33 is depressed, the connecting rod 74 causes the support 70 to rotate in the direction of arrow, viz clockwise, as shown in FIGS. 10a and 10b, so that the disc 67 on the ledge 73 is dropped into the collecting compartment 68. Designated at 76 is an aperture formed in the support 70, at 77 is a finger of support 70 connected to return spring 71 which is also connected to frame 11 and at 78 are bearing plates which pivotally support the rod 74 on the machine frame 11.

The drive shaft 28 connected to the motor M, see FIG. 11, is provided with a worm 79 in engagement with a worm wheel 80 attached to one end of a transmission shaft 81 and the other end of the shaft 81 has mounted thereon a pinion 82. With this arrangement, the transmission shaft 81 rotates as long as the motor M is in operation and transmits drive power to a rotary mechanism hereafter described.

A disc discharge pushbutton 83 is provided alongside the pushbuttons 31, 32 and 33 through box 1 and FIG. 12 shows the pushbutton 83 as connected with an insulating connecting bar 84 slidably supported on shaft 40 and which has secured at its lower portion a pressor strip 85 and a contact strip 86 constituting an auxiliary switch S-1 and arranged to engage with and disengage from a slide contact 87. This contact 87 is provided on an insulating sliding strip 88 which moves responsive to the rotation of a cam disc 89 as shown in FIG. 14 and 16. Rotation of this cam is effected by pushing the button 83 to close the auxiliary switch, i.e., as the contact strip 86 contacts the slide contact 87, to start the motor M. When the auxiliary switch 5-1 is held in its open position by the cam 89, it functions to advance the hereafter described drive control switch into its "on" position. The cam disc 89 in shown in FIG. 16 as mounted on shaft 91 on which is also fixedly mounted a gear 90. Designated at 92 is an insulating disc, on the periphery of which is attached a first contact strip 93 and a second strip 94 constituting a drive control switch. The first strip 93 has an effective contact length half that of the second strip 94. These two strips 93 and 94 are arranged to each contact their respective fixed contacts 95 and 96. Designated at 97 is a spring band connected between the cam shaft 91 and the machine frame 11 and adapted to rotate the shaft 91 in the reverse direction upon termination of rotation of the cam 89 in the forward direction, so as to permit return of an actuating roller for a disc discharge switching mechanism hereafter described.

A driven shaft 98, shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, is carried on the machine frame 11 in such a manner that it may be vertically movable. The driven shaft 98 has centrally secured thereon a gear 99 which disengageably meshes with the pinion 82 and which is normally held in a raised position away from the pinion 82 by spring 100. The driven shaft 98 is further provided at its top end with a pinion 101 which engages the gear 90 as the shaft 98 descends. Designated at 102 is a roller pin projecting downwardly from a crank plate 103 secured to the bottom end of the driven shaft 98. This roller pin 102 is adapted to effect automatic control of the hereinafter described disc discharge switch mechanism. Designated at 104 is a pressor bar extending from one side of a vertically movable member 105 arranged to move up and down along the internal wall of the machine frame 11. This bar 104 is arranged to press the gear 99 downwardly against tension of the spring 100. The member 105 is provided with a projection 106 disposed for abutting relation with the strip 85 of the connecting bar 84 for pushbutton 83. The movable member 105 is also provided with a hook 107 to which is attached a spring 108 connected to frame 11 and urging the pressor bar 104 normally away from the gear 99.

The cylindrical compartment 68, FIGS. 3, 18a and 1811, extends at its lower end into a casing 109 provided with a base member 110 having a disc discharge opening 111. From the base member 110 extends a support member 112 which carries a lever 113 pivotal about a pivot 114 as shown in FIG. 17. The lever 113 is provided at one end with a circular opening 115 capable of retaining a predetermined amount of discs 67 and transferring the same into the discharge opening 111. The lever 113 is also provided with an abutment 116 pivoted at 117 and having a free projecting end 118 disposed in the path of roller pin 102, so that as the pin 102 rotates into contact with the abutment 116, the lever 118 moves accordingly. Designated at 119 is a return spring adapted to urge the abutment 116 back into normal position. Designated at 120 is a stop adapted to restrain movement of the abutment 116 in one direction, at 121 is a return spring attached to frame 11 and the lever 113 and at 122 is a manual lever attached to the other end of the discharge lever 113 and provided with a knob 123 inserted in a circular opening 124 formed in the back of the rear box 2. The lever 113 may be manipulated, when desired, to discharge the discs independently of the automatic discharge operation of the machine. Designated at 125 is an opening for receiving the roller pin 102 when this has descended. Designated at 126, FIGS. 18a and 18b, is an aperture provided in one side of the casing 109 to permit unobstructed movement of the lever 113 within the casing 109.

A block member 127 is connected to the side of the lever 113 at which the opening 115 is located. This member 127 is normally positioned to close the lower open end of the compartment 68.

Referring back to FIGS. 60 and 6b, the cam 51 is recessed as at 51a for abutting relation to a stop 128 connected to frame 11 and adapted to restict the movement of the cam 51. The triangular member 46 is similarly recessed as at 46a for abutting relation to a stop 129 connected to frame 11, for limiting the movement of the releasing plate 44.

With this construction, the machine according to the invention is operated in the manner described below.

Placing a disc 67 in the circular disc receptible 4 causes the main switch S to close and start the motor M. The handle 49 is then manipulated so that the transmission rollers 24 are brought into contact with the display drums 31, 32 and 33, respectively and with the drive shaft 28, thereby effecting rotation of the drums all at the same time. The first, second and third pushbuttons 31, 32 and 33 are depressed successively so as to discontinue rotation of their drums at different times, whereupon a predetermined combination of the symbols 16 on each drum surface is exposed to a view through the windows 5. In such instance, operation of the third pushbutton 33 opens the main switch S and stops the motor M. At the same time, the disc 67 drops into the collecting compartment 68.

if the symbols l6 exposed to view when the drums have come to a stop are winners, such as for example the symbols appearing in the first and second windows from left as viewed in FIG. 1, the two automatic switches 60, 63 and 61, 64 positioned relative to such symbols are closed. In this position, the fourth pushbutton 83 is depressed to close the auxiliary switch S-1 and re-start the motor M, whereupon the disc 92 rotates to a position where the first contact strip 93 engages the corresponding fixed contact 95. This maintains the motor circuit in closed state even when the auxiliary switch 8-1 is held open. Therefore, the disc 92 continues to rotate and the roller pin 102 associated therewith also rotates. Rotation of the pin 102 moves the discharge lever 113 by means of the abutment 116 to a position where the disc transfer opening 115 in the lever 113 is situated underneath the bottom part of the collecting compartment 68 and transfers a predetermined amount of discs 67 from the compartment for discharge to the delivery chute 6. in such instance, the angle of rotation of the roller pin 102 may be sufficient such that the discharge lever 113 is actuated one time and may be determined by the length of the first contact strip 93 which constitutes a control switch for the motor M and by the gear ratios of the relevant moving parts as will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

If the symbols 16 are all winners upon depressing the first, second and third pushbuttons, the three automatic switches (60, 63), (61, 64) and (62, 65) are all held in their respective closed positions. Depressing the fourth pushbutton 83 then closes the motor energization circuit and starts the motor M, as already stated. The disc 92 rotates until the second contact strip 94 engages the fixed contact 96 to rotate the roller pin 102 more than one revolution. This rotation of the pin 102 causes the discharge lever 113 to rotate for two cycles of disc transfer; i.e., twice as many discs as in the previous instance are picked up by the opening 115 for discharge.

Releasing the fourth button 83 breaks the connection between the drive side and the driven side including the various control switches and roller pin 102, with the result that the disc 92 and pin 102 are urged by spring 97 back into their normal positions.

If, by operating the pushbuttons, the symbols 16 exposed to a view are not winners, then all the automatic switches are held open so that the motor energization circuit cannot be closed. Even if the auxiliary switch 8-1 is closed, it cannot remain closed long enough to effect rotation of the roller pin for the desired angle, thus preventing delivery of the discs 67 outside ofthe system.

What is claimed is:

1. An amusement machine comprising a plurality of drums each having symbols provided around its peripheral surface, a shaft having said drums rotatably mounted thereon, an electric motor, a drive shaft connected to said motor, a like plurality of transmission means normally connecting said drive shaft to said drums for rotating said drums, a like plurality of braking means capable of braking said drums, a like plurality of control pushbuttons, a like plurality of stop means each operatively connected to said control pushbuttons and capable of disengaging each transmission means from its respective drum independently of the other drums and applying the respective braking means to said drum, a disc receptacle, a disc collecting compartment in communication with said disc receptacle, a disc discharge mechanism in said disc collecting compartment, a disc discharge knob connected to said disc discharge mechanism for manual actuation as desired to discharge discs collected in said compartment, a motor energization circuit connected to said motor and including a main switch, an auxiliary switch, automatic switches, drive control switches and a source of current, said main switch being positioned within said disc receptacle for activation by a disc placed therein, a disc discharge pushbutton being operatively connected to said disc discharge mechanism and said auxiliary switch, said automatic switches correspond to a predetermined number of symbols on said drums and are subject to being closed by the indexing of said drums, said drive control switches consisting of at least two pairs of such drive control switches with one pair differing in closing and opening time from the other pair thereof and each control switch being connected in circuit with said automatic switches whereby said motor energization circuit may be selectively controlled by said main switch or by said automatic switches in association with said drive control switches when activated by said auxiliary switch in response to activation of said disc discharge pushbutton.

2. An amusement machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein each said transmission means includes a common drive shaft operatively connected to said motor drive shaft, a common fixed shaft, frame members pivotally mounted on said fixed common shaft and each positioned below one of said drums, rollers each mounted on a different one of said frame members and positioned for engaging said common drive shaft and the one of said drums above its frame member and resilient means tending to hold said rollers against said common drive shaft and said rollers corresponding drum.

3. An amusement machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein each said braking means consists of a brake cam connected to a respective drum, and an arm connected to a respective one of said frame members and extending towards, but normally spaced from said respective cam.

4. An amusement machine as claimed in claim 3 wherein each said stop means consists of a slideably mounted connecting bar having one of said control pushbuttons on one end thereof and a stop member attached to the other end thereof positioned for abutting and pivoting one of said frame members when the corresponding control pushbutton is manually depressed thereby applying its arm to the cam of the corresponding drum and resilient means tending to hold each connecting bar from its frame member.

5. An amusement device as claimed in claim 4 including a plurality of pressors, a common shaft having said pressors pivotally mounted thereon and each capable of abutting one of said stop members when its pushbutton is manually depressed to hold said stop member and said pushbutton in their depressed position whereby the corresponding frame member is pivoted applying said braking means and resilient means tending to move each pressor to its stop member.

6. An amusement device as claimed in claim 5 including a pivotally mounted drum releasing plate having projections each behind one of said pressors for at times pivoting each pressor from its stop member upon the pivoting of said releasing plate in one direction, said plate having a V-shaped arm positioned for moving said auxiliary switch to a closing position upon the pivoting of said releasing plate in said one direction, said plate further having a lateral end, a pivotal lever and means connecting said pivoted lever to said plate lateral end for pivoting said releasing plate in one direction when said pivotal lever is manually operated.

7. An amusement device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said connecting means consists of a cam connected to said lever, a spring connected to said cam and said plate lateral end, a second spring is connected to said cam and tends to pivot said cam in the opposite direction to said lever.

8. An amusement device as claimed in claim 7 including stops each limiting the pivoting of said cam and said plate lateral end.

9. An amusement device as claimed in claim 6 including a pivotally mounted lifting plate having one end capable of preventing the closing of said auxiliary switch, said plate lateral end having an aperture for receiving the other end of said lifting plate to retain said plate lateral end from pivoting and resilient means tending to pivot said lifting plate to its position preventing closing of said auxiliary switch and pivoting of said plate lateral end.

10. An amusement machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said disc discharge mechanism includes a lever pivotally mounted on said disc collecting compartment and provided at one end with an opening capable of retaining a predetermined number of discs, said disc discharge knob being operatively connected to the other end of said lever, a spring loaded abutment pivotally mounted on said lever, a stop on said lever for limiting the pivoting of said abutment in one direction, said disc collecting compartment has a disc discharge opening positioned for at times coinciding with said lever opening, said lever has a second opening over which said abutment normally extends and means controlled by said disc discharge pushbutton for at times operatively engaging said motor and said abutment for pivoting said abutment and thereby said lever for discharging the discs in said first lever opening.

11. An amusement machine as claimed in claim 10 wherein said means controlled by said disc discharge button includes a slideably mounted shaft, a gear fixedly mounted on said shaft, a crank plate fixedly mounted on said shaft, a roller pin carried by said crank plate and positioned for at times entering said lever second opening and pivoting said abutment, a pinion operatively connected to said motor and positioned for at times meshing with said gear and means controlled by said disc discharge pushbutton and capable of moving said shaft whereby said gear engages said pinion and said roller pin can strike said abutment upon manual operation of said disc discharge pushbutton.

12. An amusement device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said disc discharge pushbutton controlled means consists of a pressor strip connected to said disc discharge pushbutton, a slideable member positioned for being pushed by said pressor strip, a pressor bar carried by said slideable member and positioned for engaging said gear and resilient means attached to said slideable member and tending to keep said pressor bar from said gear.

13. An amusement device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said auxiliary switch includes a contact strip connected to said disc discharge pushbutton, an insulating sliding strip, a contact carried by said sliding strip and positioned for being engaged by said contact strip when said disc discharge pushbutton is manually depressed, and a pinion fixedly mounted on said shaft, a second shaft, a gear fixedly mounted on said second shaft and positioned for meshing with said pinion when said first shaft is moved by said disc discharge pushbutton controlled means, and a cam fixedly carried by said second shaft and positioned for engaging and withdrawing said sliding strip and thereby said contact from said contact strip.

14. An amusement device as claimed in claim 13 wherein said drive control switches consist of an insulating disc fixedly mounted on said second shaft, a first contact strip mounted on said insulating disc, a second contact strip mounted on said insulating disc and being longer than said first contact strip, a plurality of fixed contacts each positioned for being engaged by one of said contact strips, said contact strips and fixed contacts being interconnected in said circuit and resilient means tending to retain said cam in a position where said sliding strip contact can be engaged by said contact strip.

15. An amusement device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said main switch includes an insulating support pivotally connected to said disc collecting compartment, conductive strips carried by said insulating support and interconnected in said circuit, resilient means tending to retain said conductive strips in said disc receptacle to contact a disc therein.

16. An amusement device as claimed in claim 15 wherein said insulating support has a ledge and is normally positioned in said disc receptacle for supporting the disc therein.

17. An amusement device as claimed in claim 15 including a rotatably mounted connecting rod having a leg positioned for at times pivoting said insulating support and thus said conductive strips and ledge from said disc receptacle, and one of said control pushbuttons being connected to said rod for rotating the same and thus pivot said insulating support from said disc receptacle so that the discs supported therein fall into said disc collecting compartment.

18. An amusement device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said automatic switches consist of contact strips positioned on the sides of said drums for rotation therewith and fixed contact strips, said fixed contact strips are arranged to contact said drum contact strips on rotation of each drum and said contact strips and fixed contact strips are interconnected in said circuit.

19. An amusement device as claimed in claim 1 including a housing containing the machine and having openings through which said drums can be viewed and said pushbuttons being positioned exteriorily ofsaid housing. 

1. An amusement machine comprising a plurality of drums each having symbols provided around its peripheral surface, a shaft having said drums rotatably mounted thereon, an electric motor, a drive shaft connected to said motor, a like plurality of transmission means normally connecting said drive shaft to said drums for rotating said drums, a like plurality of braking means capable of braking said drums, a like plurality of control pushbuttons, a like plurality of stop means each operatively connected to said control pushbuttons and capable of disengaging each transmission means from its respective drum independently of the other drums and applying the respective braking means to said drum, a disc receptacle, a disc collecting compartment in communication with said disc receptacle, a disc discharge mechanism in said disc collecting compartment, a disc discharge knob connected to said disc discharge mechanism for manual actuation as desired to discharge discs collected in said compartment, a motor energization circuit connected to said motor and including a main switch, an auxiliary switch, automatic switches, drive control switches and a source of current, said main switch being positioned within said disc receptacle for activation by a disc placed therein, a disc discharge pushbutton being operatively connected to said disc discharge mechanism and said auxiliary switch, said automatic switches correspond to a predetermined number of symbols on said drums and are subject to being closed by the indexing of said drums, said drive control switches consisting of at least two pairs of such drive control switches with one pair differing in closing and opening time from the other pair thereof and each control switch being connected in circuit with said automatic switches whereby said motor energization circuit may be selectively controlled by said main switch or by said automatic switches in association with said drive control switches when activated by said auxiliary switch in response to activation of said disc discharge pushbutton.
 2. An amusement machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein each said transmission means includes a common drive shaft operatively connected to said motor drive shaft, a common fixed shaft, frame members pivotally mounted on said fixed common shaft and each positioned below one of said drums, rollers each mounted on a different one of said frame members and positioned for engaging said common drive shaft and the one of said drums above its frame member and resilient means tending to hold said rollers against said common drive shaft and said rollers corresponding drum.
 3. An amusement machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein each said braking means consists of a brake cam connected to a respecTive drum, and an arm connected to a respective one of said frame members and extending towards, but normally spaced from said respective cam.
 4. An amusement machine as claimed in claim 3 wherein each said stop means consists of a slideably mounted connecting bar having one of said control pushbuttons on one end thereof and a stop member attached to the other end thereof positioned for abutting and pivoting one of said frame members when the corresponding control pushbutton is manually depressed thereby applying its arm to the cam of the corresponding drum and resilient means tending to hold each connecting bar from its frame member.
 5. An amusement device as claimed in claim 4 including a plurality of pressors, a common shaft having said pressors pivotally mounted thereon and each capable of abutting one of said stop members when its pushbutton is manually depressed to hold said stop member and said pushbutton in their depressed position whereby the corresponding frame member is pivoted applying said braking means and resilient means tending to move each pressor to its stop member.
 6. An amusement device as claimed in claim 5 including a pivotally mounted drum releasing plate having projections each behind one of said pressors for at times pivoting each pressor from its stop member upon the pivoting of said releasing plate in one direction, said plate having a V-shaped arm positioned for moving said auxiliary switch to a closing position upon the pivoting of said releasing plate in said one direction, said plate further having a lateral end, a pivotal lever and means connecting said pivoted lever to said plate lateral end for pivoting said releasing plate in one direction when said pivotal lever is manually operated.
 7. An amusement device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said connecting means consists of a cam connected to said lever, a spring connected to said cam and said plate lateral end, a second spring is connected to said cam and tends to pivot said cam in the opposite direction to said lever.
 8. An amusement device as claimed in claim 7 including stops each limiting the pivoting of said cam and said plate lateral end.
 9. An amusement device as claimed in claim 6 including a pivotally mounted lifting plate having one end capable of preventing the closing of said auxiliary switch, said plate lateral end having an aperture for receiving the other end of said lifting plate to retain said plate lateral end from pivoting and resilient means tending to pivot said lifting plate to its position preventing closing of said auxiliary switch and pivoting of said plate lateral end.
 10. An amusement machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said disc discharge mechanism includes a lever pivotally mounted on said disc collecting compartment and provided at one end with an opening capable of retaining a predetermined number of discs, said disc discharge knob being operatively connected to the other end of said lever, a spring loaded abutment pivotally mounted on said lever, a stop on said lever for limiting the pivoting of said abutment in one direction, said disc collecting compartment has a disc discharge opening positioned for at times coinciding with said lever opening, said lever has a second opening over which said abutment normally extends and means controlled by said disc discharge pushbutton for at times operatively engaging said motor and said abutment for pivoting said abutment and thereby said lever for discharging the discs in said first lever opening.
 11. An amusement machine as claimed in claim 10 wherein said means controlled by said disc discharge button includes a slideably mounted shaft, a gear fixedly mounted on said shaft, a crank plate fixedly mounted on said shaft, a roller pin carried by said crank plate and positioned for at times entering said lever second opening and pivoting said abutment, a pinion operatively connected to said motor and positioned for at times meshing with said gear and means controlled by said disc discharge pushbutTon and capable of moving said shaft whereby said gear engages said pinion and said roller pin can strike said abutment upon manual operation of said disc discharge pushbutton.
 12. An amusement device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said disc discharge pushbutton controlled means consists of a pressor strip connected to said disc discharge pushbutton, a slideable member positioned for being pushed by said pressor strip, a pressor bar carried by said slideable member and positioned for engaging said gear and resilient means attached to said slideable member and tending to keep said pressor bar from said gear.
 13. An amusement device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said auxiliary switch includes a contact strip connected to said disc discharge pushbutton, an insulating sliding strip, a contact carried by said sliding strip and positioned for being engaged by said contact strip when said disc discharge pushbutton is manually depressed, and a pinion fixedly mounted on said shaft, a second shaft, a gear fixedly mounted on said second shaft and positioned for meshing with said pinion when said first shaft is moved by said disc discharge pushbutton controlled means, and a cam fixedly carried by said second shaft and positioned for engaging and withdrawing said sliding strip and thereby said contact from said contact strip.
 14. An amusement device as claimed in claim 13 wherein said drive control switches consist of an insulating disc fixedly mounted on said second shaft, a first contact strip mounted on said insulating disc, a second contact strip mounted on said insulating disc and being longer than said first contact strip, a plurality of fixed contacts each positioned for being engaged by one of said contact strips, said contact strips and fixed contacts being interconnected in said circuit and resilient means tending to retain said cam in a position where said sliding strip contact can be engaged by said contact strip.
 15. An amusement device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said main switch includes an insulating support pivotally connected to said disc collecting compartment, conductive strips carried by said insulating support and interconnected in said circuit, resilient means tending to retain said conductive strips in said disc receptacle to contact a disc therein.
 16. An amusement device as claimed in claim 15 wherein said insulating support has a ledge and is normally positioned in said disc receptacle for supporting the disc therein.
 17. An amusement device as claimed in claim 15 including a rotatably mounted connecting rod having a leg positioned for at times pivoting said insulating support and thus said conductive strips and ledge from said disc receptacle, and one of said control pushbuttons being connected to said rod for rotating the same and thus pivot said insulating support from said disc receptacle so that the discs supported therein fall into said disc collecting compartment.
 18. An amusement device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said automatic switches consist of contact strips positioned on the sides of said drums for rotation therewith and fixed contact strips, said fixed contact strips are arranged to contact said drum contact strips on rotation of each drum and said contact strips and fixed contact strips are interconnected in said circuit.
 19. An amusement device as claimed in claim 1 including a housing containing the machine and having openings through which said drums can be viewed and said pushbuttons being positioned exteriorily of said housing. 